First case of spiritual abuse brought against Oxford priest

In a case that is the first of its kind in relation to a priest, an Oxfordshire vicar has been convicted of spiritual abuse by a tribunal. Reverend Timothy Davis of Christ Church, Abingdon, spiritually abused a teenage boy within his congregation for a period of six months in 2013.

Davis moved into the home of the boy and held two-hour private prayer sessions in his bedroom, which involved touching of the “head, shoulders, chest and back”. While invasive, this touching was not ruled to be sexual by the tribunal.

Davis also attempted to end the boy’s relationship with his girlfriend, deeming her a “bad seed”.

It is reported that the mother of the boy felt that she could not intervene, fearing repercussions “from God” and consequences for the vicar himself.

Davis has been suspended from his role within the Church since 2016.

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